California to ban guns in most public areas, per federal ruling

California will ban guns in most public areas after a federal appeals court temporarily cleared the way for a law to go into effect at the beginning of 2024.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Saturday suspended an injunction that a judge issued earlier this month after determining that the state law violated the Second Amendment, according to Reuters. 

The three-judge federal panel temporarily paused the lower judge's decision on the law to give time to allow a different 9th Circuit panel to consider the lower judge's ruling as litigation continues. 

"This ruling will allow California's common-sense gun laws to remain in place while we appeal the district court's dangerous ruling," California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said on X, formerly Twitter. 

The law, which is set to go into effect Monday, prohibits the concealed carry of firearms, even with permits, in 26 areas considered to be "sensitive places," such as hospitals, playgrounds, houses of worship, stadiums and zoos, as well as privately-owned commercial establishments that are open to the public unless the business's operator displays a sign that allows concealed carry permit holders to bring firearms onto the property.

The law faced legal challenges from gun rights groups such as the Firearms Policy Coalition, Second Amendment Foundation and Gun Owners of America.

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